tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56869661622674136622024-03-13T14:57:50.518-07:00The Widowed ConnectionThis is a blog for widowed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This blog is not an official site of the Church, and is not to be used in place of grief counseling. It is designed to provide some insight, discussion and inspiration for those who are in need of a widow buddy.Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-65918091724358255012021-09-12T13:13:00.001-07:002021-09-12T13:13:24.731-07:00A great video on grieving <br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3qUfAGdEgh0" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_4c0e_25ed_e1db_ad4f" frameborder="0"></iframe> Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-31500416560953281142019-09-28T08:00:00.000-07:002019-09-28T08:00:04.971-07:00Lessons From Light <div>
<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1_beoGlNxsc0SzIys0P4E8GC01LXUj_A3-o_xju49Dt-ecD5aP3jiWxiJ9kvkxWXJ1jK47buuwWuW0iDfr2bU8o_9FtlJ3HcE2A2dfSimBtCE98wyJ8ao8RtCkRqBKAKcwGvy-jyhUCW/s320/7CB7B0AA-C442-4CA9-B490-FFD72F157218.JPG" width="320" id="id_fa46_1c46_aba_ff2c" style="width: 346px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; display: block;" alt="Light upon snow ice and water"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the vantage point of a photographer.</div>
<br><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/blog/lessons-from-light?cid=FBG_9_27_19_light" target="_blank">Lessons From Light</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bXj3_ep6Lh4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bXj3_ep6Lh4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" id="id_2f6e_31ea_3456_4e9d"></iframe></div>
<br>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-81643862796857647872019-09-20T08:00:00.000-07:002019-09-27T21:40:15.349-07:00Lesson From A Broken Lamp This morning, while I was doing some light housework, I was in my bedroom when something triggered the heavy floor lamp to come falling towards my head. Thankfully, I caught it and was unhurt, but the lamp broke in half and was no longer functional. I unplugged it and removed the bulb, but given the weight of the lamp I didn’t feel comfortable yet to move it or dispose of it.<div><br></div><div>This afternoon, while reading Between Two Minds (Dr. Judith Stay Moore), I was reading through the grieving process chapter and while reading about some of the things on her list of fulfilling things, the thought came to me about the lamp and I was taught a lesson.</div><div><br></div><div>While that source of Light worked for me in the past, I have changed from the trauma and <font size="4">need</font> to be seeking new forms of light. The lamp (and the old light) needed to be replaced in my life. As with me spiritually and emotionally, I need to find a new source for my Heavenly Light. Not in the Light itself, but the way I obtain it.</div><div><br></div><div>Mind blown.</div><div><br></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ZnXpubZMCc" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_22e5_19d4_43e2_2a6a" frameborder="0"></iframe><br></div>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-32942848376062568332018-09-23T19:33:00.001-07:002018-09-23T19:33:55.026-07:00A Blank Piece of PaperI was watching some TED Talks and found one from Jason B. Rosenthal. Then I looked at one of the videos of his late wife, Amy. The messages are fantastic.<div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hxWgIccldh4" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_d1f2_d82f_efe6_585"></iframe><div><br></div><div><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lhoCdZFoktQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_a999_2fdb_3071_1d3f"></iframe>
</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fr3Nu616eLM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_76b0_d91a_31f_6c7"></iframe>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-72416465409237999682018-09-07T08:00:00.000-07:002018-09-07T08:00:03.272-07:00Finance Basics Day 7: Additional Benefits For WidowsSome of the benefits are federal, some are state or county. Some also depend on whether the deceased spouse was divorced previously and how the divorce decree was handled as far as the Social Security Benefit.<div><br></div><div>Social Security Survivor Benefit:</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W-2BSy_c7aE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_1441_1c21_288c_9556"></iframe><div><br></div><div>Here is more information regarding the <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/planners/survivors/ifyou.html" id="id_81fa_3286_9cbd_c3d5" target="_blank">Social Security Survivor Benefits</a><br><div><br></div><div>The one other benefit I know of offhand is within Maricopa County in Arizona. Widows who were homeowners with their deceased spouse at the time of death can get their 1st year of property taxes exempted for primary residences in Maricopa County.</div><div><br></div><div>Click <a href="https://mcassessor.maricopa.gov/static/docs/Personal-Exemption.pdf" id="id_30c9_6a55_8965_80fa" target="_blank">here</a> for the pdf document from the Maricopa County Assessors office regarding the survivor exemption of property tax.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><div>An article from Kiplinger: <a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T021-C032-S014-a-guide-for-widows-and-the-people-near-to-them.html" id="id_a15_4221_3a66_283b" target="_blank">When Widows Are Forgotten</a></div><div><br></div><div>From Wealthcare For Women: <a href="https://wealthcareforwomen.com/widow-first-year/" id="id_ce0d_452d_bd7a_c6af" target="_blank"> 7 Financial Tips For Your First Year As A Widow</a></div>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-18229906049676107172018-09-06T20:00:00.000-07:002018-09-06T20:00:06.906-07:00Finance Basics Day 6: Using The Calendar In Addition To The BudgetA few years ago I participated in my Ward’s Family Finances class. It was advertised within the Stake so members from other Wards were participating as well.<div><br></div><div>One of the participants came to class and told the rest of us that the budgeting wasn’t working, that she was still getting hit with NSF fees with the bills. It turned out that all of the bills for the entire month were getting paid with the first paycheck, leaving no money until the second paycheck of the month hit their account.</div><div><br></div><div>I went home that night and used Excel on my computer to print out calendar pages for that month and the next two months for everyone in class, including myself.</div><div><br></div><div>I then showed on the calendar how to fill it out with paychecks being marked on the dates they were expected to be automatically deposited into the checking account. Then I had the participants write down each bill, according to it’s due dates, on the calendar.</div><div><br></div><div>I was able to show them how to plan to pay their bills according to the calendar and not just pay everything on the first of the month.</div><div><br></div><div>By the second month, this participant came back happy and announced that their budget was now working with by combining the budget with the calendar.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CZFTkffRtxs" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_3c85_682d_7021_4707"></iframe><div><br></div><div>Here is the video Angie made of her filing system:</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pkzBZjLChlo" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_323e_e159_e82f_70b1"></iframe>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-6638709206177690512018-09-05T08:00:00.000-07:002018-09-05T08:00:03.012-07:00Finance Basics Day 5: Sinking Funds or Gazelle Intense?Sinking funds are great, however it will take longer to pay off debt. For me, I was “gazelle instense” (a Dave Ramsey term) because I was getting repeated promptings from the Lord to get out of debt ASAP. Sinking funds waited until I was debt free. That didn’t mean I didn’t plan for the bills that don’t come monthly (like vehicle registration), I just knew that was something that was going to need to be added to the budget for the month it came up. It was a calendar item, not a sinking fund.<div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VKfvSiXxuUo?list=PLmWyW0vV_ac5dSiP-FObs-wsIrLkGu_AU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_da00_ee4a_7727_aa26"></iframe>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-89148600703502456272018-09-04T08:00:00.000-07:002018-09-04T08:00:08.630-07:00Finance Basics: Avalanche or Snowball?Which do you prefer, Avalanche or Snowball?<div><br></div><div>While I paid off my debt, I actually didn’t use either. My first priority was to pay off any debts where someone could garnish my wages. I had an unpaid tax with the IRS. That got paid off first.</div><div><br></div><div>Second to get paid off was the car loan. Not because it had the highest interest rate (it actually had the lowest) and not because the balance was the smallest (it actually had the largest balance of my debts). The reason for paying it off next? Because my car was the means of not only getting me to work, but also enabling me to handle caregiving for my Mother. Caregiving is a lot more difficult if you don’t have a vehicle to drive the person being cared for around for appointments.</div><div><br></div><div>Once those two were done, I used the Avalanche and tackled the debt with the highest interest rate.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8qhl07J7Mx0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_d647_5f31_4771_1f1f"></iframe>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-2051246187840369502018-09-03T08:00:00.000-07:002018-09-03T08:00:02.639-07:00Finance Basics: How To Budget with ResourcesThis is an area that I struggle with, even to this day. Mostly because when I was paying off debt, I used what is known as the “scorched earth” approach, meaning I had the emergency savings and what wasn’t used for basic necessities (you know, gas for the car, electricity, food) wen towards the debt. I didn’t use this sheet, either, I used a basic spreadsheet with each column for a debt and each row for a month to track how much had been paid off and what my balances were. That was it. Scorched earth.<div><br></div><div>Now that we’ve covered ways to pay off debt, let’s actually put the numbers on a monthly budget to get started.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6C2F2ZbzJ2I" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_4a8_5399_2e9_fa18"></iframe><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iG9UQs29Fhg" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_ae70_7dfb_31f8_5e93"></iframe><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JOQZBebJFlI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_a242_78d7_8cc5_3acc"></iframe>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-37170208950469570652018-09-02T08:00:00.000-07:002018-09-02T08:00:06.308-07:00Finance Basics: Reducing The Bills & The Emergency FundEveryone’s situation is different, however everyone should have some ways of cutting back on the spending. Not only to pay debt, but to start the first goal: An Emergency Fund. In the Dave Ramsey plan, it’s recommended $1,000.<div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OgTdxoHWOmY" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_bb68_cdf7_8200_e109"></iframe><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YlFe7WPIAkg" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_14f8_960e_d6b0_9fab"></iframe><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/38eZhaWk8Zw?list=PLmWyW0vV_ac5dSiP-FObs-wsIrLkGu_AU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_41cb_efd0_6008_4232"></iframe>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-49567538709062401462018-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:002018-09-01T08:00:04.618-07:00Finance Basics: Day 1Finances have been an area where there have been challenges off and on my entire adult life, however there is help.<div><br></div><div>For those of you who are trying to get a handle on finances, particularly after the passing of a spouse, the first thing I will tell you is to take some deep breaths.</div><div><br></div><div>One of the most difficult things about my husband’s passing was the realization that there were areas of our lives where we have no control over the situation. God is in charge when someone dies.</div><div><br></div><div>One of the areas, however, where we do have some control over the situation, is how those of us still living in mortality LIVE. How do you want to live the remaining time you have before you are reunited with your loved ones on the other side? </div><div><br></div><div>Sadly, I hear from widows who had left the financial affairs of the family up to their husbands, were not involved in that part of their family life and have found themselves in a deep fog, shock, grief and now trying to figure out how to pay the bills with the money that is there, and what is expected to come in.</div><div><br></div><div>This is especially hard when the breadwinner is the person who has passed away, as that can present it’s own share of challenges.</div><div><br></div><div>Hopefully what I post here can shed some light on the subject.</div><div><br></div><div>First, you need a filing system. My recommendation is to get two office filing boxes and a bunch of letter sized file folders.</div><div><br></div><div>One box will be used for all of the paperwork from the death, burial and any probate or trust account records as the wishes of the deceased are carried out.</div><div><br></div><div>The other box will be to go through the paperwork that comes in for the monthly bills. Each file folder in the box should cover a month of bills. Try to gather as much as you can from the current year that has passed already. Print out monthly statements from the bank accounts and request all financial institutions to give you the previous 6 months of statements sent printed out on paper. As the surviving spouse, this is your right to get these.</div><div><br></div><div>Then sit down, take some deep breaths, make sure you have plenty to snack and drink while you sort everything out and put everything within their corresponding boxes.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JLw7wIC4FiM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_97b_8adc_1543_2acb"></iframe>
<div><br></div><div>One of the resources can be found within your Stake with the Self Reliance classes that are quarterly, with one class handling finance. If the time available for the start of the classes is too far off or not available in your stake, here are a few resources from Salt Lake and each provide free downloads:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://store.lds.org/lds/ProductDisplay?top_category5=&top_category4=&top_category3=&urlRequestType=Ajax&productId=3074457345616681605&catalogId=3074457345616676768&top_category2=&categoryId=3074457345616678783&errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&urlLangId=-1&langId=-1&top_category=3074457345616678768&parent_category_rn=3074457345616678776&storeId=10151" id="id_5afd_e3ea_97f_3691" target="_blank">Family Finances Workbook</a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://store.lds.org/lds/ProductDisplay?top_category5=[Ljava.lang.String;@971267fd&top_category4=[Ljava.lang.String;@30cb774d&top_category3=[Ljava.lang.String;@22162a2c&urlRequestType=Ajax&productId=3074457345616682376&catalogId=3074457345616676768&top_category2=[Ljava.lang.String;@c976124a&categoryId=3074457345616678783&errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&urlLangId=-1&langId=-1&top_category=3074457345616678768&parent_category_rn=3074457345616678776&storeId=10151" id="id_a9a1_4e07_f2ba_8ae3" target="_blank">One For The Money Booklet</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>The videos I will be using for this is from the YouTube Channel, “Our Life On A Budget”, which is based out of Canada and is one of the best series I’ve seen in using the Dave Ramsey method of getting out of debt and getting a handle on your money to allow for life to be a little easier.</div><div><br></div><div>Her first area is, Why Do You Want To Get Out of Debt? This can also be interpreted as, Why Do You Want To Get Your Financial Affairs In Order?</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-akbW9MkHks" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_4c79_f892_2d72_fd"></iframe><div><br></div><div>And now to find out where you stand financially right now:</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bKt-k8UHnaE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" id="id_4cd8_7cde_4726_5bd5"></iframe>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-5608929038332623022016-06-22T21:50:00.001-07:002016-06-22T21:50:18.496-07:00For The Widows-To-BeThis may sound strange to many of you, but it really isn't.<br />
<br />
Given my situation in life (widowed, sole caregiver for my widowed mother, sole breadwinner in my household), I feel it is well past time for me to share a little wisdom to my sisters out there whose husbands are still alive. Namely about money.<br />
<br />
You see, I have a good friend whose husband recently passed away from cancer. The kids are now grown (thankfully), however there are some other traps you can end up in financially.<br />
<br />
This dear sister didn't handle all of the money in her home.<br />
<br />
As a result, she is finding out that her husband took out a credit card she knew nothing about and maxed it out, told her he had paid his taxes (state and federal) when he actually had not paid either one, and a host of other things to get them further in the hole.<br />
<br />
The even more interesting part of this is, now that her husband is gone and she is getting faced with a mountain of debt, she is also still spending money. I'm not talking grocery money here, she just bought a new car.<br />
<br />
Those grown kids? They are still borrowing money from the bank of Mom.<br />
<br />
I have no idea how this is going to work out, I'm concerned, but outside of prayers and being a sounding board, there isn't much else I can do to help the situation, particularly if she doesn't want the help.<br />
<br />
What I can do, for you widows-to-be, is to try to impart a little hard earned wisdom.<br />
<br />
1. Teamwork<br />
<br />
For most couples, the day you get married is the day you become a team. For Decker and I, we were engaged when we started talking about money.<br />
<br />
I had read The Millionaire Next Door and made Decker read it before I would agree to marry him. Why? Because that was the philosophy I wanted to live my marriage by, and I wanted to make sure my husband was going to be on the same page. Among the advice in the book is that both husband and wife are to work as a team. No one handles the finances without the spouse knowing what is going on.<br />
<br />
The reason this is so important is the reason my friend is finding out now. When the spouse dies, there is already an element of feeling like you've had the rug pulled out from under you, you don't need that compounded by surprises that will leave you bankrupt as well. Work together on the finances so that when situations arise, you will know what needs to be paid when and how much. No surprises.<br />
<br />
2. Educate Yourself<br />
<br />
This can go two ways: make sure you have an education to be able to find a decent paying job if you have to provide for yourself, as well as educating yourself (and your spouse) on finance to learn about the process of handling money as well as other items of the estate that will come later during married life.<br />
<br />
There are many avenues you can take for this, some use Dave Ramsey's classes, others use the Family Finances classes provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for free, others take a more formal approach and take classes, such as this one from BYU:<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Iy_qD8ZLh8" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
3. Set your goals, your plan of attack, but also be sure to set goals of your own, not just your goals as a couple.<br />
<br />
This will help provide you with ideas of things you can do after your spouse has passed away. Take time to re-evaluate the goals to see if they are things you still want to do by the time this occurs (which will hopefully be a very long time after your marriage).<br />
<br />
Get Priesthood Blessings and pray to Heavenly Father for guidance in this.<br />
<br />
Okay, so this is about all I can think of right now, I may add an addendum later if there is anything else pressing that should be added. :-)<br />
<br />
Given this information, the goal is for you to be able to get into a position of being able to take care of yourself and enjoy the journey that this mortal probation provides, much like Rebecca:<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IZ3olX-QIH4" width="560"></iframe>
Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-72996538107260658892016-06-22T21:10:00.001-07:002016-06-22T21:10:15.461-07:00Depression, Anxiety And Other Mental IllnessesIn the past, I've written about <a href="http://widowedconnection.blogspot.com/2014/10/suicide.html" target="_blank">Suicide</a> and <a href="http://widowedconnection.blogspot.com/2013/07/grieving.html" target="_blank">Grieving</a>. Now The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has come out with not only a video, but an entire sub-section of their web site to help those who are faced with depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses.
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IrNqGqy5kbQ" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
I have been diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety attacks.<br />
<br />
I have a tendency to shut myself off from the rest of the world, and I'm definitely not big on crowds. I've gotten worse over the years, so you don't see me out socially like I probably should be.<br />
<br />
This is a great start, particularly if you are experiencing the signs and symptoms addressed. It most definitely needs to be followed up with a trained professional to make sure others are aware who know about this best and know different methods to counter attack the negative thoughts and feelings.<br />
<br />
If this is you, please know you are loved. Your needs are known.<br />
<br />
Link: <a href="https://www.lds.org/mentalhealth" target="_blank">https://www.lds.org/mentalhealth</a>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-32093732981171677582016-05-03T20:36:00.001-07:002016-05-03T20:36:37.938-07:00UpdateHappy National Widows Day!<div><br></div><div>I didn't know there was such a day, but, seriously, you ladies and gentlemen all deserve pats on the back if this pertains to you.</div><div><br></div><div>For me, it's been a crazy few weeks. You've probably read my initial reaction to Elder Holland's talk last week.</div><div><br></div><div>Let me start by saying that by the time he had arrived and gave his talk, I had reached a point of exhaustion that probably came close to doctor prescribed bed rest, if not hospitalization.</div><div><br></div><div>I had spent the day at a school covering for the computer lab assistant who needed to be out. We normally don't do this, but they had the computerized NWEA testing, and the other people there who knew how to do it were doing DIBELs testing instead.</div><div><br></div><div>Don't make me go there about the over abundance of testing in schools.</div><div><br></div><div>So, after 9 hours of sitting on hard plastic chairs, I spend another 3-4 hours sitting on hard metal chairs at a Church building where we were packed like sardines. They had the hallways going to where I parked in the parking lot, so after I changed out of my work clothes into something a little more presentable, I had to keep the bag of clothes, along with the bag with my food in it, with me along with my back pack. People probably thought I was nuts, but I couldn't get to my car.</div><div><br></div><div>By the time Elder Holland actually spoke, every part of my body was hurting, my back was seizing up, and all I wanted was to get this over with and go home.</div><div><br></div><div>I've since heard the last 45 minutes of his talk (many thanks to the person who recorded it), and it was fantastic.</div><div><br></div><div>Thankfully, as luck would have it, I had already gotten approved to take the rest of the week off from work, as they needed me to get rid of the overtime that's been accumulating. It turned out to be a much needed break, and some time to get my car serviced as well, without it impacting my work schedule. The remainder of the 5 day weekend ended up just sleeping, eating, spending time with the cats and binge-watching Emergency on DVD.</div><div><br></div><div>I've also started to make more of an effort to get my vitamins in me on a regular basis, as well as drinking more of the Vitamin Water to keep my electrolytes up.</div><div><br></div><div>So, while I am going crazy, trying to keep up with everything, I am also trying to make sure I don't put myself into a situation that will not require hospitalization.</div><div><br></div><div>Life is busy, however life will still be around whether you are able to participate or not. Be sure to take care of yourselves.</div>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-49949797623032440822016-04-29T13:54:00.001-07:002016-04-30T14:06:15.672-07:00MarriageYes, I went and heard a General Authority (actually 2) speak this past Tuesday night.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The leading General Authority, who presided the meeting, gave a great talk, but there was something he said that bugged me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What did he say?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know I probably don't have this entirely correct.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"For those who have been married, your marriage is over, whether it be by divorce or death."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Divorce I get, but death? To some degree, he is correct, but to some degree, he is very wrong.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The majority of marriages on this earth are deemed "till death do you part".</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the Temple, however, marriages are for time and eternity.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When death occurs, yes, the time part of the marriage is over. The widow is declared by the Church to be single, as they are no longer part of a mortally living couple.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The problem is, many people take this to mean that the eternal part of the marriage is also over. They are wrong.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The most amazing experiences for me, spiritually, have occurred since my husband's death. This is because a sealed marriage has it's power through the Holy Priesthood. This priesthood doesn't die. It's not yet another earthly possession to discard after someone dies. Because of this, the connection between the spouses still exists. I have experienced this firsthand. My husband, who is very busy on the other side of the veil, does still connect with me, particularly during the quiet times of my days and nights, as well as in my dreams.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He is still very much my husband, my eternal companion, and the father who is watching over our children who are with him on the other side of the veil.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, for my widow buddies who are being told their marriages are over, tell the brother or sister in the gospel who say this that they are suffering from near-sightedness.</div>
Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-68850384370839079172016-04-09T14:48:00.001-07:002016-04-09T15:32:52.380-07:00Singles ActivitiesI felt really bad this morning for my Ward's leadership in hosting a Singles Waffle Brunch for the single sisters in the Ward, from what I heard counted 70, and there were only about 5-6 of us who showed up.<br>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Then, during the delicious meal, the comment was made as to why the numbers were so small. My response was to simply acknowledge that they were missing out on some really good waffles. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
What I wanted to say, though, I chose not to say for fear of sounding snarky, and I certainly didn't want to offend people I love so much.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
These, however, were a few thoughts.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
First, okay, there are 70 single sisters in the Ward, a portion are widowed like myself. How many of them have to work on Saturdays and couldn't come?</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Reason #2: With the Bishop there, some of the sisters would refuse to come as they would not be permitted to gossip about others in the Ward. Sad, yes, but true.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Reason #3: This is probably the big reason. There was no real compelling reason to be there.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
What I mean by this was, what would the people showing up benefit from coming?</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Take out the visiting, the message from the Bishop, the good food, there was no other reason to draw people in.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
There were no classes on: </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
1. Surviving the grieving process and ways people can cope, taught by counsellors from LDS Family Services.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
2. A primer on financial basics geared for single sisters, taught by our resident CPA.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
3. Basics of job hunting and getting that resume ready, taught by someone from the LDS Employment Services.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
4. Gardening and Food Storage basics.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
5. Basics of using power tools for home maintenance.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
I'm sure the list could go on, but this will give you an idea of what I mean. There used to be (I don't know if there still are) Singles Conferences every six months, and none of these topics were ever covered, yet for many women, particularly ones who just recently suffered a loss of spouse or divorce, this is exactly what they need. It's a way for people to grasp what they do have control over, in situations where they feel they have none.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
I could be wrong, and there could have been other reasons, I don't know, but this was what was going through my mind.</div>
Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-69587294204112071622016-01-31T08:50:00.002-08:002016-01-31T08:50:56.075-08:00Blog Post To Read - The Unexptected MiracleIf you haven't read this yet, it's really good. Be sure to have the tissues ready, though.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://aftertheyaregone.com/2016/01/28/unexpected-miracle/.com/2016/01/28/unexpected-miracle/">http://aftertheyaregone.com/2016/01/28/unexpected-miracle/.com/2016/01/28/unexpected-miracle/</a><br />
<br />
For those of us who are widowed, what book or books have helped you with your grieving?<br />
<br />
For me, after coming home from the hospital without my husband, I found I couldn't sleep. There seemed to be an aura or light beaming from a book on the bookshelf in our bedroom, it was the book, "Not My Will But Thine" from Elder Neal A. Maxwell.<br />
<br />
That book helped me realize that I was not being punished and having my husband taken from me, but that the Lord had a plan for my husband, and that plan began that early morning.<br />
<br />
The other item I read that helped me considerably was my husband's Patriarchal Blessing. Through repeated reading and prayer to understand why my husband was taken, I was able to have a better understanding of the plan for my husband as well as his mission on the other side of the veil.<br />
<br />
What books have helped you with your grieving?Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-51696945329982352942015-11-07T05:47:00.004-08:002015-11-07T06:30:08.816-08:00My TakeI posted this yesterday on my <a href="http://genealotechgd.blogspot.com/2015/11/my-take.html" target="_blank">Gospel</a> Doctrine blog, I wanted to repost it here as well.<br />
<br />
It's been hard not to notice all of the media reports, not only of the status of members of The Church who are living homosexual lifestyles, but also the status of children being raised by couples living a homosexual lifestyle in the home.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll start by saying this: These are just my opinions and not of anyone else, and not of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Those of you who know me know I had a very long and hard struggle with how the Church defines widows as singles. After all, why would a religion whose basic tenants include eternal marriage suddenly ditch the recognition of a sealed marriage after one of the spouses dies?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It took a lot of years and a lot of heart to heart talks with the Lord to find out it doesn't define me, it doesn't define my eternal marriage. This change is made to protect the widowed who find someone else to marry from being considered guilty of adultery from the Church. Sometimes the harsh rules are there to protect us.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My take is that this is the same. For years the Church has already had rules regarding excommunication of people living alternative lifestyles. Those who have been members of the Church for a while should know this. The change, for me at least, was with the status of children who are being raised in a home where homosexuality is practiced.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iEEMyc6aZms" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Again, to me, these rules of making the child wait until they are 18 to determine how that child wishes to live their life is also a protection.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's not about punishment, it's about covenants. Not only to make them, but the ability to keep covenants that have been made. It's about getting serious about taking the Lord's name upon us, not just in outward appearance, but in inward belief.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was hard for me to wait three years and eight months to be baptised, as my parents were opposed to the Church. I have some experience in knowing you are an outsider. There are times, even though I've been baptised for over 35 years and married in the Temple, when I still feel like an outsider, mostly because my responsibilites are not the norm for most women in my faith.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Church, the gospel in my life, the blessings, the peace, the loved ones whom I hope will be awaiting me on the other side of the veil, all of it has been worth the wait, worth the struggles, worth the tears, even worth the betrayal I have experienced from time to time in this Church.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To be able to fully live my religious beliefs without the disdain and temptations of family members who do not understand the covenants I have made with the Lord, it has been worth the wait.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Again, just my opinion.</div>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-59057724056778197482015-10-06T19:43:00.003-07:002015-10-06T19:43:51.669-07:00The Divine Nature of WomanhoodThank you, President Nelson.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oMwO3RAH9bE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-80381218011231797172015-10-03T21:03:00.001-07:002015-10-03T21:03:15.844-07:00SacrificeThis message has been a long time coming.<div><br></div><div>I'll start off by saying I love the brethren dearly.</div><div><br></div><div>I loved Elder Holland's talk on the sacrifices of a mother.</div><div><br></div><div>What I would like to point out is that while there are widowed mothers out there making huge sacrifices to raise their kids on their own, there are also childless widows who have made a sacrifice no one ever mentions:</div><div><br></div><div>Motherhood.</div><div><br></div><div>Widows have been called upon by the Lord to sacrifice their marriages, putting them on hold for the remainder of their mortal lives, while their eternal companions do the Lord's work on the other side.</div><div><br></div><div>Some of these widows, like myself, have also been called upon by the Lord to set aside our righteous desires of having children and raising them.</div><div><br></div><div>At Church about a month ago, the ugliness of some of the sisters in Relief Society came out when the sacrifices of Motherhood was the basis of the lesson.</div><div><br></div><div>They started off by giving a quote from Sister Sherry Dew on how all women are "mothers in Zion".</div><div><br></div><div>When I mentioned the sacrifices childless women make, many of whom become the family caregivers for elderly family members, I was shot down by the sisters in the room, telling me I have no idea what sacrifice is, as I don't have children.</div><div><br></div><div>So much for "all women" being "mothers in Zion".</div><div><br></div><div>Apparently, they have forgotten that Jesus Christ didn't give birth to a child, does that mean He doesn't know what sacrifice is?</div><div><br></div><div>The sad part is that there are people out there who are seriously misguided in this. Everyone has their Gethsemane.</div><div><br></div><div>For some, it's the challenges and sacrifices associated with raising children, and having them know they are loved and accepted, just the way they are.</div><div><br></div><div>For others, it appears, is a lack of tact.</div>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-13358989115024638902015-05-19T15:48:00.000-07:002015-05-20T08:33:43.194-07:00Ezekiel And The Temple<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This coming June 12th will make 17 years of marriage for Decker and I, and this coming August 14th will make 15 years since Decker was called to his mission on the other side of the veil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fact that so much time has passed since both events is both easy and hard to believe: I remember our time together as if it were yesterday, yet it seems like Decker has been gone forever. I guess that's one of the paradigms of this fallen world, and a paradigm of time as we know it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been wanting to post about Ezekiel and The Temple for a while now, it was a <a href="http://genealotechgd.blogspot.com/2014/12/lesson-44.html" target="_blank">Sunday School</a> lesson for the Old Testament I was given the blessing of teaching. The reason I say blessing you will understand shortly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Decker was alive, we tried to have children, but I couldn't conceive. Nothing was working. We spent a lot of time in the Temple, and while there at one point I received a vision. I was dressed in white and holding a newborn boy in my arms who looked just like Decker, hair and all. The message was loud and clear that I would be given this child, however I was a little confused as to why I was also wearing white.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then Decker passed away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone dear to me, after Decker's death, insisted that Decker could never father a child as a resurrected being. This was another blow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got on my knees and had a heart to heart with Heavenly Father and the Savior. I asked, very pointedly, how I could be given such a vision (and what I felt to be a promise) of something to come when the Lord had every intention of taking my husband early without fulfilling the promise?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The answer, thankfully, came with patience and love: Why are you placing limits on what God can do? Not every power of God has been revealed to man just yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found a confirmation to that lesson in the scriptures, with Ezekiel and The Temple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The place is Babylon, at the end of the saga that constitutes the Old Testament, aka the Old Covenant. Ezekiel is among the Jews who were taken from Jerusalem to Babylon to be made slaves and placed under house arrest. They lost their land of inheritance, their Temple was defiled and then destroyed, the Ark of The Covenant went missing. The Jews were sold into slavery and the Tribes of Israel were "lost" and scattered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In all of this, the Jehovah calls Ezekiel as a prophet and gives Ezekiel a series of visions, including this one, which is of the Millennial Temple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/43.1-12?lang=eng#0" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ezekiel 43:1-12</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/44.6-9%2C23?lang=eng#5" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ezekiel 44:6-9, 23</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The burning question for me was: why? Why show Ezekiel a temple he would never live to see?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just like my anguished question of the Lord, the answer came: Not every power of God has been revealed to man just yet. Ezekiel was to record his vision for a later generation who would not only see temples during their lifetime, but would need to understand the healing that is to come for the faithful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, about the symbolism of the water used on the temple grounds of our modern-day temples. It's not just a symbol of a paradisal glory, another meaning comes from Ezekiel:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/47.1%2C6-12?lang=eng#0" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ezekiel 47:1,6-12</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Particularly, verse 9:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="verse" style="background-color: #fefbbf; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">9 </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">And it shall come to pass, </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: #fefbbf; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: italic; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">This is a river flowing from an alter within the temple, coming out from under the temple, flowing through a desert and into the Dead Sea.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">There is a lot of symbolism going on here so let's break this down:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">1. The river is flowing from an altar within the temple. Why? Because the altar represents the Throne of Jehovah. Jehovah is the source of the water.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">2. As it flows through the desert, what happens along the pathway? Vegetation comes to life, and spontaneously produces fruit. The desert, a symbol of famine, is healed by the water of Jehovah.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">3. The water reaches and heals the Dead Sea. What happens when it heals? It's not just a multitude of fish that appear.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="verse" style="background-color: #fefbbf; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">10 </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">And it shall come to pass, </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: #fefbbf; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: italic; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> the fishers shall stand </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">upon it</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be a </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: #fefbbf; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: italic; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">place</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">The interesting part is the description of the fish. They shall exceed in the kinds of the fish of the great sea. Not only will the fish who would have been native to the Dead Sea will live there, but more, much more.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">This isn't just about healing.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">When we make covenants with the Lord in our latter-day temples, there are promises and blessings the Lord has in store for us that we cannot even imagine, numbering much like the fish in the restored Dead Sea. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">The healed desert? That is us, being healed so we will become the kind of disciples the Lord knows we can be. We will be healed to reach our full potential to flow to the sea and partake of the multitude of blessings that await us. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Do you have any kind of unfulfilled expectation in your life? A blessing that has been withheld for a time? This is where it comes to fruition. We can become the spouses to our eternal companions the Lord knows we can be. We can be the kind of parents to the children awaiting us the Lord knows we can be.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">How does this happen? It is the healing power of the Lord, through the blessings flowing from the temple, that make this happen.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Do you think this applies today? Yes, to a limited degree. There is water flowing from the temple, a spiritual water that can heal you from the pain, suffering, depression this world brings. It awaits us at the temple.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/temples/mesa-arizona/mesa-temple-769935-print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/temples/mesa-arizona/mesa-temple-769935-print.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/temples/mesa-arizona?lang=eng">https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/temples/mesa-arizona?lang=eng</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-47530557984880783702014-12-01T20:04:00.001-08:002014-12-01T20:04:55.513-08:00Tonight's ScriptureFrom The Gospel Library App for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:<div><br></div><div><div>12 And the Lord have removed men far away, for there shall be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.</div><div><br></div><div>13 But yet there shall be a tenth, and they shall return, and shall be eaten, as a teil tree, and as an oak whose substance is in them when they cast their leaves; so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.</div><div>2 Nephi 16:12-13</div><div>http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/16?lang=eng</div></div><div><br></div><div>What struck me this evening was the "tenth" used in verse 13. This was Nephi quoting Isaiah, who was describing the coming destruction of the House of Israel. First in the Northern Kingdoms, then in Judah.</div><div><br></div><div>So, what does a "tenth" mean in this scripture?</div><div><br></div><div>I've thought of a tenth of something to have the symbolism of a tithe.</div><div><br></div><div>Could this be the fruits of a tithe? Where the "holy seed" is brought back, albeit in bondage and slavery, to provide remnants of the House of Israel (descendents of David) to produce the lineage and backdrop for the Messiah?</div><div><br></div><div>These are just a few random thoughts.</div><div><br></div><div>Back to your regularly scheduled program.</div>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-36953619023131767422014-10-26T17:38:00.001-07:002014-10-26T17:38:03.539-07:00SuicideLately, either people I know personally or people associated with friends have committed suicide. In many ways, I can understand why, having had suicidal thoughts shortly after Decker died.<br />
<br />
What I can tell my widow buddies out there is this: what you are experiencing is only a fragment of reality, not in it's entirety.<br />
<br />
My experience was looking through life through a tunnel filled with pain, with no end in sight.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, I had a good friend who literally shook me into the true reality and out of the suicidal thoughts.<br />
<br />
What I can also tell you is this: you are not alone, you are not forgotten, you are not forsaken. Not by anyone, including me. If you need help, ask.<br />
<br />
You can call Bishops, Stake Presidents, Relief Society Presidents, other widows in your Ward.<br />
<br />
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CZqIown0_yk" width="560"></iframe>Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-86339560991826889512014-10-26T16:00:00.001-07:002014-10-26T16:00:09.939-07:00Priesthood?During today's Sunday School class it was brought up how important a role the Priesthood of God has in these last days, not only in sharing the Gospel, but also in providing the ordinances to bring people back to God.<br />
<br />
Another person in class pointed out the experience of their widowed mother, and how critical the priesthood is for her.<br />
<br />
Then I explained to the class how I haven't been home taught or visit taught in years. Yes, years.<br />
<br />
Then a third person spoke up and told me I should rely upon the Lord, not the Priesthood. This was coming from a sister in the Ward with a husband and children.<br />
<br />
Congratulations, people, you now know why so many of the widowed commit suicide.<br />
<br />
Enough said.Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686966162267413662.post-65748638839545340372014-07-06T16:23:00.000-07:002014-07-06T16:23:21.669-07:00Sunday SchoolI love Sunday School. There is always something there for me to learn.<br />
<br />
Today, it was Lesson 23: <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/old-testament-gospel-doctrine-teachers-manual/lesson-23-the-lord-be-between-thee-and-me-for-ever?lang=eng" target="_blank">The Lord Be Between Thee and Me For Ever</a><br />
<br />
I needed this lesson given the experiences of my previous post, regarding my previous Ward.<br />
<br />
While I have not been perfect in what happened, and have some things to repent of, there is a lesson of being the meek and humble Latter-day Saint vs. being a doormat, even with other Latter-day Saints.<br />
<br />
The fact that I am a widow and was not home taught for over a year should speak volumes. I don't seek for vengeance against these people, they will need to answer to the Lord for what they have done, and the motivation for doing so. That doesn't mean, though, that the Lord expects me to be a doormat and just simply "take it".<br />
<br />
This goes back to David and Saul.<br />
<br />
Did David support Saul? Yes, he continued to fight battles under Saul, even while Saul was trying to have David killed in battle.<br />
<br />
Did David lose his respect for Saul? Yes, it got to the point where David had to go into hiding because Saul lost the respect and trust of both David and Saul's own son, Jonathan.<br />
<br />
Did David try to take vengeance against Saul? No. David knew that to do so was a violation against God, as vengeance belongs to God. David, however, also knew that Saul had already lost, in that David would inherit Saul's throne. He had already been anointed to be the next king.<br />
<br />
However, God also gave David the opportunity to confront Saul, which he did and cut the hem of Saul's robe, meaning that Saul had lost the battle. David did not kill Saul - he was not to be seeking revenge, but David was not expected to be a doormat to Saul and allow Saul to kill him. David was doing the Lord's will.Dawn Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247606922070337080noreply@blogger.com0